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NEW! MARKETING TO BOOST YOUR BOTTOM LINE PROGRAMME
Do you want to
- Boost your company’s sales and profitability?
- Find out which customers, products and services make you the most profit and offer the best opportunities for growth?
- Identify the strongest market opportunities for your company’s products and services?
- Explore and evaluate the most cost-effective means of communicating with customers and prospects?
- Hone your skills for closing sales and winning new orders
If so, the new Marketing to Boost Your Bottom Line programme has been designed just for you! This innovative new programme will help you to develop your customer relationships, win new customers and drive profitable business growth.
For further information or to discuss your individual situation call Eva Milroy, Business Liaison Officer on tel 01387 734139 or visit www.sosbus.biz
WANT TO BE THE BEST? GO WEST
Irene Barkby, Executive Nurse Director for Edinburgh-based NHS National Services Scotland which provides health and business support to every other health board in Scotland, is one of its alumni.
“I’ve been in the health service for 32 years and a health service manager for most of that time” she explains. “I found myself thinking I’d really like to go and do an MBA before I turned 50.
“Many health service managers have business qualifications an, although it is the public sector, we do require to manage a business very effectively and efficiently.” As well as the Saturday commitment, there is no doubt that stamina is required in order to realise the end goal.
“I did it late into the night after a full days work,” Irene adds. “ I have been in this organisation two years and I started six months before I came here. So I had just started the programme and I was in a new job. It was really beneficial from the point of view of this organisation because it is the business support function – it is very business oriented. I think it has given me the breadth of skills, the tools, and personal confidence to operate in this environment at this level. It was not a health oriented MBA. My colleagues on the Programme were from diverse backgrounds. The learning we gained from each other was significant. Having a wider breadth to one’s thinking has undoubtedly made this job much easier to do.
They (UWS) have a process of bringing back previous alumni to share their learning; to experience their personal and professional growth after the Programme was really helpful”
UWS BUSINESS COURSE FOR RUSSIAN RAILWAYS STUDENTS
A group of students from the Siberian State Transport University (SSTU) recently got a unique insight into Scotland’s transport industry as part of a two-week course they undertook at the University of the West of Scotland’s Management Centre in Ayr.
The 11 business students were joined by three of their tutors during their time at UWS and benefited from the University’s business expertise, undertaking a two-week (11-23 July 2010) course covering finance, economics and English as a foreign language. The final year students are all sponsored by Russian Railways for whom they will work as managers after graduating.
As part of the course, UWS organised a day of industry visits on 20 July to the Glasgow offices of the Atkins Group plc and Transport Scotland, to give the group practical, real-world experience of the transport industry in Scotland.
Atkins is the UK's largest engineering and design consultancy andthe world's 11th largest design firm. The group was welcomed to the company’s Glasgow offices by Atkins Director, John Foley, and UWS Executive MBA alumnus, Kim Irvine, who gave an overview of Atkins and its activities.
STU group on M74 site visit
The group then undertook a site visit to the nearby £445 million M74 Completion project in Glasgow, for which Atkins, in a joint venture with Jacobs Engineering Group Inc, was awarded the design and construction services. Interlink M74 Joint Venture and ScotRail representatives gave a detailed walking tour of part of the five-mile project which will complete a vital part of Scotland’s motorway network, and forms part of a major infrastructure investment in Scotland’s transport network.
The group also visited Transport Scotland’s Glasgow offices on the day. This visit, which was co-ordinated by Alasdair Macleod, Business Manager for Rail Delivery at Transport Scotland, saw presentations on Rail Delivery by Jason Pearce; Strategy & Investment by Laurence Kenney and Major Transport Infrastructure Projects by Dominic Murphy. The strategic presentations were followed by question and answer sessions.
The previous week George Fiddes, Team Leader of Transportation and Traffic at South Ayrshire Council, visited the University’s Management Centre in Ayr and gave the group an overview of the South Ayrshire Local Transport Strategy as well as an insight into rail operations in the west coast of Scotland.
Eithne McGilvray of University of the West of Scotland’s Business School said: “The University has strong industry links and a successful track record of delivering business courses for a variety of organisations. We are delighted to work with SSTU and are very grateful to Atkins Group, Transport Scotland and South Ayrshire Council for the industry perspective they provided. The Siberian students and their tutors found these visits very informative and they were a highlight of their study trip to Scotland.”
DIPLOMA SUCCESS IN PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP
University of the West of Scotland (UWS) recently celebrated the successful completion of Diploma in Public Service Leadership, by 16 public sector managers, who had undertaken the year-long course at Hamilton Campus.
Developed for middle managers within the public and third sectors, the Diploma is accredited and awarded by Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and aims to improve performance and efficiency in the delivery of public services. Last year, UWS Students were the first in Scotland to be awarded the Diploma and continuing its successful delivery of the course, UWS is now recognised as the second largest provider of the programme in the UK.
The Awards Ceremony, which took place at West of Scotland Management Centre, Ayr, saw John Turner, Head of UWS Business School, and Ian Andrew, Business Manager for CMI, present Diplomas to students from: Argyll and Bute Council, Cambuslang and Rutherglen Community Health Partnership, Central Scotland Fire and Rescue, Dumfries & Galloway Fire and Rescue, East Ayrshire Council, Lead Scotland, Mental Health Tribunal for Scotland, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, PSS Scotland, Strathclyde Fire and Rescue, and Strathclyde Police.
UWS CMI 28 v2
Graduating students display their Diplomas, with John Turner (Head of UWS Business School), Ian Andrew (Regional Business Manager, CMI), Keith Miller and Gordon Hendry (Programme Tutors from LDA Associates), and Karen Kennedy (Business Development Manager, UWS Business School).
Reflecting on her participation in the course, Donna Morley (Lead Scotland) commented, "the programme has had a positive impact on my work practice. I feel more confident in my abilities and this has had an impact on my performance as a Volunteer manager". Mary Freeburn (NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board), added: "I feel that I now have the skills to be a better manager and have gained knowledge in managing organisational change". Placing the course in the context of service to the community, Donald MacLeod (PSS) concluded "I have enjoyed the analysis of the market and devising effective, practical plans to meet customer needs".
With four more Diploma cohorts in progress, 60 more students are set to graduate within the next 18 months. Asked about future courses, Karen Kennedy said "in addition to our open course provision, the next year will see UWS increase the level of partnership working across public and third sector organisations, as we seek to encourage use of shared services in delivery of the Diploma in Public Service Leadership. Providing bespoke cohorts on a partnership basis will ensure organisation’s learning and development plans can still be realised within budget”.
The Diploma in Public Service Leadership is delivered at UWS in partnership with Learning & Development Associates. Further information on the programme is available on www.uws.ac.uk/dpsl
Charismatic Connecting
More than 60 University of the West of Scotland Executive MBA programme participants and alumni recently gathered for a special networking event. The theme of the event, “Charismatic Connecting”, was apt as tapping into business networking opportunities is an important aspect of undertaking the prestigious Executive MBA.
Guest speaker Russell Wardrop and Bobby Mackie
Russell Wardrop of Kissing With Confidence led the session, which was entertaining as well as providing a very practical workshop in networking skills at a senior level. A highly experienced trainer and coach, he delivers sessions at the highest level internationally.
Scott Weir, the Ayr-based entrepreneur who set up the expanding Homesure letting agency, said, “I have been a keen networker for many years which has helped me to build my business but I was delighted to learn things at the event that I’ll use for the rest of life. It was inspiring.”
UWS Alumni event
Eithne McGilvray, Manager, West of Scotland Management Centre said, “Successful networking is key, especially in today’s business environment. More than 300 participants, all of them highly experienced managers, and most of them working in West of Scotland organisations, have studied on the Executive MBA programme with us and are keen to participate in this powerful network.”
Weir continued, “Undertaking the Executive MBA has come at a perfect time for me and has given me the confidence to expand the business successfully. While I had gained a lot of experience on the job, the rigour of the Executive MBA has helped me to improve my knowledge and skills and to use them in a very practical way.”
Stuart Paul and Paul Docherty
The next Executive MBA programme begins in early October 2009 at the West of Scotland Management Centre in Ayr. Further details are available at www.uws.ac.uk/emba or by phoning 01292 886400.
KEY PUBLIC SECTOR PROFESSIONALS FIRST TO GRADUATE UWS’ PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP COURSE
UWS only Scottish University to deliver accredited Chartered Management Institude course in Public Service Leadership
University of the West of Scotland (UWS) recently held its first Award Ceremony for its sector-leading Diploma in Public Service Leadership.
On 27 January 2009, 22 students were awarded the Diploma in Public Service Leadership at the University’s West of Scotland Management Centre in Ayr.
The part-time one year Diploma, which is the only one of its kind in the Scottish university sector, is delivered at the University’s Ayr and Hamilton campuses. The programme is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute and delivered in conjunction with experienced public sector managers/trainers from Learning & Development Associates.
The graduating students from SPT, Sacro, Army Personnel Centre, North Ayrshire Council, East Ayrshire Council, Dumfries & Galloway Fire and Rescue, and Strathclyde Fire and Rescue received their Diplomas from Martin McGahon of the Institute and John Turner, Dean of UWS Business School.
Commenting on his experience, Clive Farron, Deputy Support Manager, SPT, said: "I feel I benefited from listening to the other delegates on the programme and learning about the methods adopted in their organisations to resolve common business issues. This peer-learning was a result of the delegates coming from a wide range of public sector, non-profit making organisations and the voluntary sector."
Derek Wilson, Watch Manager, Dumfries & Galloway Fire & Rescue, added: "I have seen substantial improvement in my team management skills by implementing what I have learned on this course".
Speaking at the Award Ceremony, Karen Kennedy of UWS Business School, said: “We are delighted to see our first intake of students graduate from this course and become the first in Scotland to hold this prestigious Chartered Management Institute accredited qualification.”
“Not only is this course critical for the personal development for those in managerial positions, but the subsequent improvements introduced to participating organisations will ultimately result in more efficient public services provision.”
The Diploma in Public Service Leadership seeks to develop and enhance leadership and management skills of those working in the public and voluntary sectors by covering topics such as: planning the delivery of public service projects, managing change, leading and achieving service performance, planning to meet customer requirements, and contributing to the financial efficiency in public services. The course challenges current practice through work-based assessments focusing on practical business problems and provides an opportunity to focus on personal and organisational development needs.
Further information about UWS’ Diploma in Public Service Leadership is available on www.uws.ac.uk/dpsl
New Course Enhancing Public Sector Leadership Skills
The University of the West of Scotland is enhancing leadership skills in the public and voluntary sectors with the launch of its Public Service Leadership course.
The part-time one year Diploma, which is the first of its kind in the Scottish University Sector, got underway in January at the University’s campuses in Ayr and Hamilton. Due to its success another intake of the course, which is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute and delivered in conjunction with experienced public sector managers/trainers from Learning & Development Associates, is planned for September 2008 at the University’s campuses in Ayr, Hamilton and Paisley.
The course is aimed at developing and enhancing the leadership and management skills of managers working in the public, ‘not for profit’ and voluntary sectors. Some three months into the delivery of the programme the feedback from the client groups which range from Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Service, Strathclyde Passenger Transport, to Local Authorities and the Voluntary Sector has been very encouraging, with some delegates indicating the content is already having a significant impact on their work practice and performance.
The course covers topics such as Leadership in a Public Sector context; The Manager’s role in building, developing and maintaining high performing teams; Planning and Managing the delivery of Public Service Projects which ensure customer requirements are met; Planning and Managing Change designed to meet the strategic challenges that Public Sector organisations face in the delivery of their Services; Leading and Achieving Service Performance designed to improve public services through individual, team based and collaborative approaches; The delivery of Financial efficiency and Best Value within a Public Sector environment.
Karen Kennedy of the University of the West of Scotland’s Business School, said: “We are delighted that this course has been so well received. It gives managers and team leaders in the public and voluntary sectors the chance to update and enhance their leadership skills.
“In addition to aiding the individual this course also benefits employers, as enhanced leadership skills results in far greater efficiency and effectiveness for the organisations involved.”
The course challenges current practice through the assessment of work-based assignments focusing on practical business related problems, and provides an opportunity for managers to focus on personal as well as organisational development needs.
Information Sessions for prospective client organisations and delegates will be held on the 13th, 16th and 23rd May at the Ayr, Hamilton and Paisley campuses respectively, from 10.30am until 12.00pm. To reserve your place and/or to obtain further details on this qualification please contact Karen Kennedy on 01292 886400 or email.
Helping Russian Business Executives get on track to success
A group of leading Russian business executives benefited from the University’s business expertise, recently undertaking a seven day Corporate Financial Analysis and Corporate Development programme at the West of Scotland Management Centre.
The course, which got underway on 10 October 2007 and ran until 17 October 2007, saw 15 senior management officials from ten divisions of the recently privatised Open Joint Stock Corporation Russian Railway Company, benefiting from the financial management programme. In addition, four academics from the Siberian State Transport University (SSTU), which helped to co-ordinate the visit, also participated.
The course was delivered by UWS Business School and was designed to give the Russian visitors an insight into the major issues involved in strategic financial planning.
The course covered topics such as Methods of Dynamic Financial Analysis and Monitoring Key Ratios; Major Instruments of Analysis; International Financial Reporting Standards; Consolidation of Financial Reporting; Principles of Qualitative Data Analysis; Using Qualitative Information for Making Effective Management Decisions; Working Capital Management; and Costs Management and Methods of Cost Sharing.
A UWS spokesperson said: “The University has a strong track record for delivering practical business courses to a variety of organisations and this is the second year that we have run a Corporate Financial Management programme for delegates from the Open Joint Stock Corporation Russian Railway Company and Siberian State Transport University.”
The group represented all ten divisions of the Open Joint Stock Corporation Russian Railway Company which employs 1,200,000 people, equivalent to around 1% of the total population of the Russian Federation. The company transports 100,000,000 tonnes of freight every month. It takes a passenger ten days and nights of rail travel to journey across the rail network.
Elena Surikova, Assistant Dean of Engineering Economics Faculty of the Siberian State Transport University, added: “We have been delighted by the success of this second programme. We look forward to strengthening the links with the University of the West of Scotland and are working to develop future opportunities for collaborative research and student exchange, in addition to ongoing delivery of programmes such as this one, which has provided opportunities for our Directors and Managers to learn in a different and stimulating environment. We very much appreciate the warm Scottish hospitality shown to us.”
Lace Work If You Can Get It
Graduate Steven Ede really did make an impression when he spent six months working for a top Scottish lace manufacturer.
Bosses at Morton Young and Borland liked Steven so much that they jumped at the chance to hire him when his temporary job came to an end.
Now Steven, 28, has been woven into the sales team at the firm's Newmilns HQ in Ayrshire and keeps his passport handy for foreign trips where he helps promote his company's stunning products to a host of overseas buyers.
Former postman Steven from Kilmarnock is a superb example of how graduates who spend brief spells working at Scottish companies on 'placements' not only provide a valuable service to employers but literally become the ideal candidate when a job vacancy arises.
His engaging personality is understandably a hugely valuable asset when working in sales and constantly dealing with potential customers.
Stephen represents the latest success story in the West of Scotland Management Centre's 'graduates into smaller companies programme' which has received a ringing endorsement from many Ayrshire employers.
Steven said: "I realise I would not have this job had I not sought a placement through the West of Scotland Management Centre. I loved my initial six months with the company and didn't need to think about it for very long when I was offered a full-time position.
Marketing to Boost Your Bottom Line
Upcoming Business Event:
"Employee Engagement" with
Steve Callan of Goodrich Corporation
Wednesday 18 January 2012,
Ayr Campus, 17.30-19.30
UWS Business School Brochure
